CH. 36 DÉJÀ VU ALL OVER AGAIN

By Jenny A.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thanks to Humble Opinion for posting this. Please read and review.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Jem or any of the other characters or the rights to the show. It's just fun, and no profit is earned.

ROCKNROLLROCKNROLLROCKNROLL

Kara awoke to the sound of a steady beeping, muted announcements over a PA system, the smell of anti-septic, and several dull throbbing pains. She was momentarily confused, but then her memory of the previous night came back in a rush. "Hospital," she muttered irritably into her pillow, as she was lying on her front. "I hate hospitals."

"Then you should make more of an effort to stay out of them," Jo said from her chair by the bedside. Kara raised her head slightly for a better look and met Jo's worried eyes. "Again, Kara? When are you going to stop worrying me?" Her tone was light, but Kara could tell her friend was genuinely scared for her, despite the façade she tried to maintain for the others.

"I'll try not to get kidnapped and stabbed by a lunatic again," Kara promised.

"That's all I ask," Jo smiled perkily. Then the smile faded. "Does it hurt much? Should we get the doctor?"

"Not the worst idea I've heard," Kara sighed after assessing the various aches and pains. "How is Chrissie? She okay?"

"She's fine," Jem answered from the other side of the bed. Kara turned laboriously to look at her as Jo left the room to find the doctor. "A little shook up, but she's fine, thanks to you."

"She wouldn't have been there if it weren't for me," Kara muttered.

"Not your fault," Jem shook her head. "No way you could've predicted this, and she told us you did everything you could to keep her safe."

Kara nodded as best she could. "Of course. What else was I gonna do?" She looked around and saw that Kimber, Aja, and Cheyna were also present. "Gangs all here."

"Of course," Jem smiled. "We were worried about you. Sarah and Laura are worried too. We talked to the doctor and assured them you'd be fine, but the hospital won't let them up here. Too young."

"I should call them," Kara decided. "Phone in here?" One was quickly arranged and soon Kara was promising the twins that she was fine and would be coming home soon. The girls cried with relief and Kara really wished she was there to hug them in person. The call was interrupted by the arrival of the doctor and an unwelcome visitor. "I've got to talk to the doctor now girls, find out when I can get out of here. I'll see you soon."

"Love you mommy," they chorused.

"Love you, too. Be good." She handed the phone to Jem, who hung it up for her. Then she managed to roll onto her uninjured side to look at the doctor and much to her displeasure, Detective Carlyle.

"How are you feeling, Miss Mistral?" the doctor picked up her chart.

"Like someone tried to carve me up." She ignored Carlyle, who had yet to speak.

"Mm-hm. On a scale of one to ten, where is the pain?"

She considered. "About four, I guess. I've had worse." She glanced at the detective. "I've already got a pain in my ass," she told him. "Come back later."

Before he could answer, the doctor told everyone to clear out for a few minutes while he examined his patient. Once they were out of the room, he drew privacy curtain around the bed and proceeded to ask awkward questions and conduct an embarrassing examination. It did nothing to improve her mood. Finally, he finished and redressed her wounds before adjusting the covers.

How long till I can get out of here?" she asked, when he was done.

"We want to keep you a couple of days for observation, to make sure you're healing correctly and there are no signs of infection. You're going to have to take it easy for a while after you get out. Activities you normally have no problem with are going to be painful for a time. I want you to be careful bending or stretching especially. Don't rip out those stitches."

"I'll do my best," Kara assured him. He nodded and pulled back the curtain. When he opened the door to leave; Jem, the Holograms, and unfortunately, detective Carlyle came back in.

Carlyle looked uncomfortable and tried to sound conciliatory even as he preempted her efforts to tell him to get out. "You don't need to worry; I'm not here to cause problems. I…I know I've caused you trouble in the past, and I'm sorry for that. There's no cause to worry this time."

"So you're not here to arrest me on behalf of the Banks family?"

"No," Carlyle assured her, looking more uncomfortable. "This isn't actually my case. I just wanted to be sure you'd be alright."

"How considerate," Kara deadpanned. "So who will be coming by to arrest me?"

"No one," Jem assured her. "That's ridiculous."

"It was ridiculous last time, too," Carlyle admitted. "It shouldn't be an issue, though. Officer Reyes saw the whole thing, but someone will be by later to take your statement."

She considered what to say about Reyes, but held her tongue. If his report was accurate, his superiors were probably already raking him over the coals. On reflection, she wasn't entirely sure what he should have done.

"That's good," she muttered instead.

Having said what he came to say, Carlyle left the room and Kara didn't give him another thought.

"Kara?" Kimber asked, sounding a bit uncomfortable.

"Yes?"

"The doctor wasn't very specific about how badly you were hurt. Is there anything you… you'll need help with?"

"No," Kara said firmly. "I'll be fine." The idea of being helped to dress herself or get to the bathroom was not something she'd even consider.

"Where were you hurt exactly?" Aja asked. "Doctor wouldn't say."

"I've got two more scars I won't be showing in public," she answered. "Left side, hip to ribcage. As for the other… Why do you think I'm lying like this?"

"Your back?" Kimber ventured.

"Lower."

"Oh." Kimber blushed. "That's what you meant when you told Carlyle that…" Her blush deepened. Aja snickered, but the others decided not to comment.

Kara decided it would be easier just to tell them the whole story and avoid any more awkward questions. She started with the kidnapping while she and Chrissie were running an errand and ended with passing out in the garage. "The rest," she concluded, "you probably know better than me."

"I can't see how you could've avoided that," Jo allowed, "but I'm still mad at you for nearly getting yourself killed." Kara allowed a slight smile at the admission and the words. She reached out and gave Jo's had a squeeze.

"Wow," Kimber said. "You're lucky to be alive." The others nodded. "You do seem to have a talent for getting into trouble."

"Says the girl who was kidnapped and trussed up under an erupting volcano," Kara noted drily.

"Well if you're going to compare…" Kimber groused good-naturedly.

"I think we'll let you get some rest," Jem said repressing a smile at their banter. "Reya and the rest of March Rain will probably be by later to visit."

"Jeff wanted to be here," Kimber offered in a reassuring tone, "but he said he had to drive 60 through an exploding building while an alien tried to eat his face." She sighed. "I didn't ask for details."

"That's usually the best policy," Kara answered, all too familiar with her adrenaline junky boyfriend's work. She knew he would be by as soon as he was able. She heard someone else enter the room and the others said their goodbyes as a nurse prepared to administer a sedative.

"See you," Kara muttered, already drowsy without the drugs. Jo paused to hold her hand for a moment.

"I'll look in on the girls, tell 'em you'll be home safe and sound soon. Just don't make a liar of me."

Kara nodded and closed her eyes.